Massachusetts’ Bully Boy Distillers

Massachusetts’ Bully Boy Distillers

By Rick Garner

Bully Boy Distillers is owned and operated by MA brothers Will and Dave Willis, who first became interested in brewing/distilling as children after stumbling upon a collection of Prohibition-era spirits hidden in an underground vault of their family’s working farm that once served as a speakeasy. With names like “Medford Rum” and “Cow Whiskey,” these precursors to today’s craft spirits were harsh and remarkably undrinkable, but they had character. The Willis boys’ interest quickly evolved from cider production to stovetop distilling to starting their own full-scale craft distillery.

Paying close attention to the caliber of ingredients used in its products, Bully Boy hand-produces premium spirits in small batches, emphasizing quality over quantity. As homage to the farm, the distillery is named after Bully Boy, a favorite farm workhorse. Will and Dave’s great-grandfather named his beloved horse using a term coined by his college roommate, none other than Teddy Roosevelt: “Bully,” meaning superb or wonderful.

Bully Boy Distillers is proud to carry on MA’s tradition of small-batch distilling and handmade beverages ~ white rum, Boston rum, vodka, white whiskey, and wheat whiskey ~ that taste as superb as the quality of their ingredients. The attention to detail has paid off, as Bully Boy spirits have received exceptional ratings from the Beverage Tasting Institute’s International Review of Spirits. Bully Boy made its official Worcester debut with a complimentary tasting event at The Armsby Abbey earlier this year, and is available for purchase at Julio’s Liquors – Westboro, Vin Bin – Marlboro, Wine Nation – Millbury, Mass Liquors – Worcester, and at many other locations viewable on the BB website, www.bullyboydistillers.com.

And once you’ve purchased the Bully Boy beverage of your choice, why not try one of the Willis brothers’ favorite recipes?